While I was day working in Marion County I heard of a new outfit that was just getting started in the cow business and that usually meant a lot of work. I had also heard the owner was a Cuban who had been treasurer under Cuban dictator Fulgencio Bautista and had got out of Cuba ahead of Fidel Castro and brought $7 million with him.

The last week in February was an exciting time on Seahorse Key. The Cedar Key Arts Center’s first Artist-in-Residence, Robert Firth, was a guest of the island, courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Seavey, Assistant Director of the Seahorse Laboratory. Firth’s visit corresponded with the return of the Horseshoe Crabs to their nesting beaches, a sight he found fascinating. This is the first-ever collaboration between the University of Florida and the Cedar Key Arts Center, with hopes to offer future opportunities in what Dr. Seavey calls “art meets science.”

The Cedar Key Arts Center has issued a call to artists for its March show of three dimensional works.

All entries must be original work by an artist and works must be delivered to the Arts Center Gallery by Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. All pieces must be cleaned and ready to display (with accompanying hardware and specific instructions). There is a $5 entry fee with a limit of three submissions per artist.

Prizes of $100, $50, and $25 will be awarded based on originality and artisanship.

There was a long line waiting and stacks of dinners ready to be delivered when Robinson's seafood restaurant in Rosewood opened its doors on Monday evening for a benefit fish fry for the family of John Freddrick Alford.

Alford recently died in a hunting accident and his family will receive the proceeds of the dinner to help pay the bills incurred. Eve Robinson said the restaurant was busy all evening.

Sponsored by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Florida Nature Coast Master Gardener Program announces its 2013 class series.